-Graduation day-
Pov: Takumi Uchiha.
"Come on- you are lazier than a Nara" Obito tells me.
"Let him sleep, he isn't going to move even if you bug him ten times over" Rin sighs.
I was energetic once- but it all ended so quickly... without reward.
"How are we going to graduate with each other if he lazes around like this!" Obito exclaims.
What's the point? To do all that work- put in all that effort! Become the best there ever was and to fail and fall right before the rewards!
"Well... Obito you know he failed every test this year by not participating- I don't think we are going to graduate together" Rin softly tells Obito.
I was once known as the Emperor of blades... ruler of everything that was sharp- I could make a toothpick look like a ballista bolt and a blade of grass look like a great sword! I was the best!
Now I am Takumi Uchiha. And I sleep because I truly never got any rest in my last life.
"Oh he moved!" Obito exclaims.
"He frowned, that doesn't count" Rin points out.
"It does count- it a hundred percent counts!" Obito argues.
"It doesn't- do not interrupt my monologue" I click my tongue.
"You were monologuing in there? What about..?" Rin asks me.
"This is a pivotal moment in my life. The moment that can diverge into many alternate paths, my new life starts now- of course one must reflect heavily on why they are here- for understanding our past allows for the greatest future to be obtained" I sit up straight and stretch.
"You are aware we cannot see into that head of yours right? How are we supposed to know if your monologing or not- be reasonable and stop sleeping! Start speaking!" Obito complains about my habits once more.
"Exactly right Obito, everyone in their seats- no sleeping today!" Our sensei enters the room.
What was his name again? I can't be bothered to remember.
"Today marks the day that you become ninja- and to honour your first step into becoming the greatest Shinobi and Kunoichi this world has ever seen... we will be heading to the hall in order for the Hokage to officially recognize you as ninja himself!" Our sensei declares.
Bothersome.
I stand up with everyone else as we shuffle through the hallway and into the biggest room in the academy, mostly used for indoor taijutsu technique training.
"I am surprised you made it on time today Obito" Kakashi hatake is here, who mocks Obito the second we near.
"Oi! - Wait, why are you here?" Obito angrily makes a fist, before pointing at Hatake.
"I needed a team" He answers.
"I woke him up, so that he would not miss his own graduation" I answer Hatake.
"Really? You did?" Rin asks in bewilderment.
"Obito is somewhat a friend to me- he would graciously allow me to sleep through many days and as a friend I could never allow him to sleep through one of his first steps into fulfilling his dream" I nod sagely.
"Define 'Somewhat'..." Obito releases his anger and smirks a little, somewhat pleased with my help this morning.
"Somewhat defined by the standard Land of fire dictionary is-" I start to annoy Obito but am cut off by a louder voice that hushes the entire room of shinobi and Kunoichi.
"Today is a day unlike any other- today is the day you all become shinobi and join teams that will grant you power beyond belief! Today is the day that you embrace the will of fire!" The Hokage starts his speech and I close my eyes.
I am now Takumi Uchiha.
I can no longer return to being the Emperor I once was... and as unfortunate as that is I am enjoying the break that my Old Fool has granted me.
Although I would prefer to rest in my wife's arms and possibly spend my time training the next generation of soldiers ready to defend my empire I am stuck in this village of Shinobi.
Instead of training until failure I now read until my eyes feel a tiny bit heavy... instead of breaking through armies of rival empires and kingdoms I now study my own techniques that seem pathetic in comparison to what I can really do.
Instead of marching until my feet break here I am growing tired from a five minute walk...
... I am lazy incarnate- and my victory nears!
No one can best this Emperor in battle! And soon so will this military village lose to my unbreakable spirit that refuses to stand!
I am unbending! I am unyielding!
This challenge of rest has been bested by me! The Emperor of blades! The Elder woods nightmare! The creator of Iltuun Mountain Pass! The Monster of Eksharn! The destroyer of Honour! The fire of hope! The spirit of defence! The-
"- And Takumi Uchiha, will be assigned as a genin within the Uchiha Police Force effective immediately- in hopes to make up for any failed efforts to show up to class these past years-" The Hokage breaks my concentration.
The Lazy Uchiha.
I failed.
My one task.
I had one last task assigned to me by that Old fool and I failed?
Me? Failed?
Impossible.
This battle is not lost yet.
"Excuse me?" I speak just loud enough to interrupt the Hokage's words.
"Takumi Uchiha, you have been assigned to the Uchiha police force- come collect your headband" He states again.
"I failed all exams and barely showed up to the Academy- in what world do I get promoted?" I ask in annoyance.
"In this one Takumi. You made up for your exams with other contributions to your clan and they have asked for special permission to make you a genin. I accepted" The Hokage raises an eyebrow and a smirk, leaving me frustrated.
"I deny this event- I will not be promoted" I insist.
"You cannot deny a promotion the Hokage and your clan have given you- to do so means turning against the leaf" The Hokage puts his foot down.
Every gaze in this room turns to me.
So this is his plan then? Turn everyone against me so I cannot argue? A tricky and cunning fool but he lacks the wisdom that age brings.
A normal child would not dare speak against the Hokage- even an irrational child can understand that turning against the entire village is something ten times worse.
"You think I am afraid of your threat? Fugaku Uchiha threatened to expel me from his clan some time ago and I let it work- did that grant you the thought that I care for a title? A Clan? Trust? I do not need these things" I take a deep breath to calm myself.
"Are you declaring yourself a rogue shinobi then?" He retorts.
"Hokage-sama... aren't you being a bit too harsh on the child?" The blonde man next to him asks.
"Are you, Takumi?" He stares me in the eye.
"I will do what I must to secure my rest" I stare back without flinch or care.
...
The room grows awkward- no, cold.
Everyone is waiting for the next words, perhaps something to break the chill in the air and return it to a warm environment.
"... That determination I see behind your eyes, that fire in your soul- do you not see it yourself? That desire... that burning desire to do nothing- you would ironically do anything to rest, and you believe that after seeing that! anyone would let you? I have seen many ninja grow and become wonderful Shinobi but you? You are already there... all you require is a headband to make it official Takumi. Your talent is outstanding and your skills are unmatched for your age- the Taijutsu you can develop on a whim is something that masters of the art take years to complete, and you look me in the eyes and demand that I- the Hokage- who's duty is to his people would allow you to rest when you have done that all your life? You demand me, to let your talents go to waste? You demand that more and more ninja die on the frontlines because you were too lazy to help them refine and train Taijutsu that could have saved them? I am the Hokage Takumi, and you will not stop me from protecting my village and it's citizens!" The Hokage bellows out with a sudden speech.
Tch- a similar spirit to my own.
"Now I have allowed you to work at the Police headquarters as a sign of trust between me and you Takumi- I have let you take on a cosy position inside the village while others march to war and I have allowed you to rest albeit on the condition that while you rest others are better protected. I have done all I can to ensure you and me get what we both want while you sit there and do nothing to ease the work I have done for you... so what else can I do but deem you a Rogue ninja at this point? Make the choice 'Lazy Uchiha', I do not have all day to waste on you" He huffs out in pride.
The warm air returns- ninja smile at the work that the Hokage does for his people in the shadows while students inspire to help those not willing to help themselves.
The spirit- the fire burns within everyone inside this hall with his ultimatum.
He reminded me of the Old fool for a second... but he isn't. Not one bit- he lacks the cruelty I failed to acquire in my last life. The one I didn't inherit.
The old fool would have painted me an artistic representation of my friends and families heads rested on pikes as the empire burned around me.
The Old fool would have told me to march and make sure that painting does not become reality.
The Old fool would demand things go his way and I would tilt it in my favour... he would say that I can't make the perfect world- that sacrifice's have to be made and I would smile and say...
'Watch me'.
And he would watch.
As I swung my blade against the mountains in order to create a path- to boost trade routes and enhance our empires economy.
To destroy my enemies without falling- ever.
To pursue depths so extreme one could only call me a madman.
I didn't like that Old fool. But he was still my Old fool.
And this one- this Hokage who lays down the facts that I cannot deny... thinks he can get under my skin?
He may have the moral high ground.
But I have the unyielding will of an insolent child who just wants to rest.
"No" I answer.
Simple. Efficient. Not a word more than I need.
"No? So you will become a rogue ninja?" He states sadly.
"No" I answer again.
"So you will embrace the will of fire?" He smiles and the room brightens.
"No" I cool it back down.
"You must choose, there is no third option" The Hokage lowers his gaze at me.
"There is- my offer. And you will listen to it, then accept it. Because it is the only way you will ever get me wearing one of those headbands" I smile, albeit malevolently.
"Ohoh? Very well then, tell me your offer Takumi..." He smiles even wider, like someone who is proud.
"If I Takumi Uchiha take on that headband you may not under any circumstances force me to take on any missions, you may suggest them to me but I retain all right to accept or deny the missions that I go on. If you wish for me to become a genin of the leaf you must pay me the equivalent of one C-rank mission per week. If you want me to become one of your soldiers... you must ensure that all future Kage follow these rules" I demand.
"An offer usually has an incentive to make it enticing for me to make this deal" The Hokage raises an eyebrow.
"If you want something ask for it" I reply.
"One mission a year. I want you to attend one mission that you cannot refuse and must take on. My second condition for your second condition is that you must defend the village with your full power when it is under attack, no lazing around and ensuring everyone you can save is saved. And my final condition to ensuring these rules are written to never be broken until you die is simple. You must help perfect the Taijutsu of one ninja every month, they decide the training times in their busy schedules and you will give up that time to help them" He counter offers.
First two is fine- I am getting away with a lot, but the last condition is sketchy enough for me to be concerned.
"Your last condition is vague. Refine it" I demand.
"Spend a minimum of 100 hours helping another ninja train, you may choose the ninja but it must not be the same one every month. If you fail to pick a ninja I will assign one to you. They choose the time and location to train" He explains further.
"How much effort do I put into this training" I ask.
"If you wish to put no effort into every other hour of your life I can only assume your full effort for these meagre hours" The Hokage spins his words carefully.
...
"When you assign me a mission I will not train anyone that same month" I twist it up a little.
The Hokage nods.
"Your talents are special... but you are still a child- 110 hours per month if you get one off" He returns.
"I am a very talented Uchiha- my clan would not like to see me working for everyone but them, 60 hours a month" I smile.
"I am not willing to drop that low, 105 hours" He replies with a smile of his own.
"The child is right, the Uchiha gain no benefit from this- 70 hours a month and 10 hours dedicated to reviewing and writing an in depth report on one ninja's Taijutsu the Uchiha clan head choses" the Uchiha clan head intervenes.
"Oh? So this isn't some play put on for the genin, he actually has talents regarding Taijutsu?" The Nara clan head steps in.
"I can do write a report that fulfils your expectations in an hour- 50 hours a month and five reports a year" I offer something else.
"100 hours a month... and one in depth report a year" The Hokage offers.
"Fine- but the mission I must complete once a year cannot exceed a months time, I will abandon the mission if it goes a second overtime" I reply.
"How about doubling your pay for every month of overtime you do?" The Nara offers.
"No. I have no need for money" I shake my head.
"Then you may skip your training sessions if that mission goes overtime for the year, not including travel time back to the village or towards the objective" The Nara states again.
A good bargain.
Let's recap.
- I have full control over what missions I chose and deploy on- the Hokage can deploy me on one mission a year, if this mission is longer than a month I do not have to fulfil my training condition for the next 12 months.
- I get payed the standard rate of one C-rank mission a week and in return I must be an active defender of this village when it is under attack.
- These rules cannot be broken by future Kage if I in repayment, train one ninja for 100 hours a month... and write one detailed report on a an Uchiha's taijutsu a year.
The last one seems annoying to fulfil and much more cumbersome than the others... but the old Kage is almost definitely in need of a new replacement- I cannot have my perfect rest be uprooted by the next Kage who may not humour me in the same way.
"This seems acceptable. You may continue with your promotions" I accept the offer and the Hokage glances at the Nara... somewhat thankful that his offer sealed the deal.
*Swish!*
A headband flies over the crowd, the Hokage throwing it towards me.
*Snatch*
I catch it out of the air and glance at it's reflective surface...
"Congratulations on your promotion Takumi" The Hokage states warmly with a smile.
"Congratulations!" Rin smiles as well.
"Grats" Hatake sums up.
"Yes- nice man!" Obito punches my shoulder.
I fold and place the headband into one of the pockets inside my jacket.
"Another victory for my weary eyes" I smirk.
Honestly? I expected a much worse counter offer, I was ready to jump ship and live in the land of Iron or something for a while.
But this will do, lazy work for a lazy Uchiha.
Thanks for reading! :)